New Delhi: Multiple flash flood incidents were reported on Sunday in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides, damaging numerous houses, sweeping away vehicles, and disrupting the Mandi-Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway.
Fortunately, no loss of life has been reported.
Relief efforts are currently underway to restore connectivity. The areas of Panarsa, Takoli, and Nagwain were among the worst affected in Mandi, which appears to be the hardest-hit district in the state due to the intense rainfall.
Hundreds of motorists were stranded in long traffic jams following a landslide on the Mandi-Kullu stretch near Jhalogi. The alternative route via Kataula-Kamand, connecting Mandi and Kullu, has also been impacted by landslides at several locations.
Authorities are actively working to restore this route for light vehicles. Meanwhile, the dam authorities at Pandoh have issued an alert regarding the release of excess water from the dam, following heavy rainfall in the Takoli region.
The Panchvaktra temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and known for stone carvings, in Mandi town, known as Chhoti Kashi, is standing tall under the swirling waters of the raging Beas River.
Heavy floods of 2023 also could not damage the foundation of the Panchvaktra temple, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument built in the typical Shikhara architecture style.
Elsewhere, with the water level of Pong Dam in Kangra district rising to an alarming position at 1,379.98 feet, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) began controlled release of 57,221 cusecs of water through its turbines and spillways. This is the highest release of water from the dam in the ensuing monsoon season.
The BBMB has issued an alert in Kangra in Himachal and Hoshiarpur in Punjab to take precautionary measures in low-lying areas.
Also, the road was damaged near Tattapani owing to landslides on the Shimla-Karsog route. Excess water was released from the Giri dam in Sirmaur district, triggering panic among the people settled in the dam downstream of the flood.
As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, 175 roads in Mandi district, 64, including National Highway-305, in Kullu, 25 in Kangra, 12 in Chamba, 13 in Shimla, seven each in Una and Sirmour, four in Lahaul-Spiti, three, including National Highway-5, in Kinnaur, two in Solan and one in Bilaspur district, remained blocked for vehicles.
The state's Meteorological Department has issued yellow weather warnings for various districts of the state till August 19.
For August 17, yellow weather warnings have been issued for Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur districts that will result in heavy rainfall at isolated places.
(With inputs from IANS)
